Endoscope having separable probe

ABSTRACT

Provided is an endoscope including a separable probe. The endoscope includes a handle unit and a probe unit detachably mounted on the handle unit. The handle unit includes a first connector reciprocally movable by an adjustment knob. The probe unit includes a probe deformable in response to movement of a wire and a second connector coupled to an end of the wires and detachably coupled to the first connector.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an endoscope including a separableprobe and, more particularly, to an endoscope in which a probeinsertable into human bodies may be separated from a handle.

BACKGROUND ART

A medical endoscope is a device directly inserted into a human bodysubject for examination or treatment in order to examine an internalorgan or perform a treatment on the internal organ.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a typicalendoscope 10. Referring to FIG. 1, the endoscope 10 includes anarticulation assembly 12 disposed on one end of a flexible insertiontube 11, such that the direction of insertion is adjustable while theendoscope 10 is being inserted into a human body. A leading end body 13having an image sensor and a light source (or a lens) is mounted on oneend of the articulation assembly 12. A handle body 14 is provided on theother end of the insertion tube 11. The handle body 14 is connected toan unshown image processing device through a separable cable and aseparable connector.

Dials 15 and buttons 16 used for the direction change and the operationof the articulation assembly 12 are disposed on the handle body 14.

The dials 15 are provided as a pair of dials, by which the direction ofmovement of the insertion tube 11 may be adjusted to upward, downward,left, and right directions. A sprocket 17 and a chain 18 are providedinside the handle body 14 in order to convert the rotation of the dials15 into a linear movement. The chain 18 is connected to one end of thearticulation assembly 12 via a separate wire 19. As a result, therotation of the dials 15 is converted into the linear movement of thewire 19 via the sprocket 17 and the chain 18, and the articulationassembly 12 is bent in response to the linear movement of the wire 19.Accordingly, an operator of the endoscope 10 may adjust the direction ofmovement of the leading end body 13 during the process of inserting theinsertion tube 11 into the human body.

Here, since the endoscope is inserted into the human body, thoroughhygiene management is required, and the endoscope must be cleaned andsterilized after a diagnosis or a surgery. In some cases, the reuse of aportion of the endoscope actually inserted into the human body, i.e. theinsertion tube or the articulation assembly, may be impossible orundesirable. In this case, the entirety of a related-art conventionalendoscope device must be replaced, since the entirety of the endoscopedevice is provided as a single body. In addition, even in a case inwhich the reuse is possible, cleaning and sterilization work may be moresimply performed when the separation of a portion of the endoscoperather than the replacement of the entirety of the endoscope ispossible.

Various types of separable endoscopes have been disclosed in the relatedart. For example, Korean Patent Application Publication No.10-2014-0063947 discloses an endoscope in which a handle body and anoperator body are configured to be detachable. However, in the abovepatent, since it is not easy to separate and reattach a wire, the otherportions rather than the wire are configured to be detachable. Thus, theabove patent may have a problem of low efficiency. Even in the case thatthe attachment and detachment problem of the wire is solved, it is stilldifficult to accurately operate the endoscope, since the pair of wiresspaced apart from each other move different distances due to differentradii when the endoscope is bent.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present disclosure is derived to meet the aforementioned demands ofthe related art, and an objective of the present disclosure is toprovide an endoscope having a portion easily detachable from andattachable to the endoscope.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above objective, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure, an endoscope including a separable probe isprovided. The endoscope includes a handle unit and a probe unitattachably and detachably (hereinafter, collectively referred to asdetachably) mounted on the handle unit. The handle unit includes a firstconnector reciprocally movable by an adjustment knob. The probe unitincludes a probe deformable in response to movement of a wire and asecond connector coupled to an end of the wires and detachably coupledto the first connector.

Here, the handle unit further includes: a rotatable sprocket connectedto the adjustment knob; and a chain engaged with the sprocket toreciprocally move in response to the rotation of the sprocket. The firstconnector is reciprocally movable in concert with the chain.

In addition, the handle unit further includes an end wire coupled to thechain. The end wire is coupled to the first connector to pull the firstconnector toward the sprocket.

A wire coupler is provided on an end of the chain, and the end wire iscoupled to the wire coupler.

The handle unit further includes a chain guide disposed adjacent to thechain. When the chain moves, the wire coupler is slid and moved whilebeing in contact with side surfaces of the chain guide.

The handle unit further includes a return spring mounted on an outercircumferential portion of the first connector. When force of pullingthe first connector through the wire is removed, the return springprovides elastic force to restore the first connector to an originalposition.

The end wire is connected to the first connector using a wire fixingmember. The wire fixing member is inserted into the first connector andmounted to be slidable and movable within a limited range.

One of the first connector and the second connector includes an end tiphaving an insertion hole in an end thereof. The other of the firstconnector and the second connector includes an insertion protrusioninserted into the insertion hole and fastened to the end tip in responseto rotation.

The end tip further includes a cut portion in a side portion thereof. Aportion of the insertion protrusion has a greater width than those ofthe remaining portions of the insertion protrusion, such that, in aposition in which the insertion protrusion is inserted into theinsertion hole, the greater-width portion of the insertion protrusionprotrudes through the cut portion.

The handle unit further including a connector housing accommodating thefirst connector therein to guide the movement of the first connector.

The end tip further includes a guide pin on a side surface thereof. Theconnector housing has a guide recess in a side surface thereof. Theguide recess allows the guide pin to be fitted thereinto. The guiderecess extends in a longitudinal direction to be inclined toward anupper end of the connector housing.

The handle unit further includes a stopper stopping movement of theguide pin. The stopper has a recess able to accommodate the guide pin.

The probe unit includes the pair of second connectors detachably coupledto the first connector. A first pinion gear is disposed between the pairof second connectors. The pair of second connectors include rack gearportions provided on facing surfaces thereof to be engaged with thefirst pinion gear. When one of the pair of second connectors moves in afirst direction, the other of the pair of second connectors moves in asecond direction opposite to the first direction.

The handle unit includes the pair of first connectors able to be coupledto the pair of second connectors. One of the pair of first connectorsand one of the pair of second connectors able to be coupled to eachother work in concert with each other when moving in the first directionand do not work in concert with each other when moving in the seconddirection.

The wire is connected to the second connector using a wire fixingmember, the wire fixing member being inserted into the second connectorand mounted to be slidable and movable within a limited range.

The probe unit further includes a stopper releasing member on a sideportion thereof, the stopper releasing member having a tapered surfaceon an end thereof, such that the stopper and the first connector aredecoupled from each other when the stopper releasing member is insertedinto the stopper.

Advantageous Effects

According to an aspect of the present disclosure having theabove-described configuration, the wires provided in the handle unit andthe probe unit separated from each other may be easily detached andattached using the first and second connectors, so that handle unit andthe probe unit may be divided in any portion of the endoscope. Inparticular, since no separate operations for connecting or disconnectingthe wires are required when separating or coupling the handle unit andthe probe unit from or to each other, the operations of detaching andattaching the handle unit and the probe unit to and from each other maybe significantly easily performed.

In addition, since the endoscope may be divided in any positionregardless of the position of the wires, suitable products may beprovided according to the respective uses of the endoscope. Accordingly,the components of the endoscope may be reused or replaced moreeconomically, and cleaning and sterilization operations may be performedmore easily.

In addition, since the first and second connectors may be allowed towork in concert with each other or prevented from working in concertwith each other depending on the travel direction, degradations inoperability due to different radii may be overcome.

That is, the wires to which force for bending the probe unit is appliedare allowed to work in concert with each other, so that the probe unitis bent in an intended direction and at an intended angle, whereas thewires in the opposite side may remain stopped (since the wires do notwork in concert with each other), so that the difference in the traveldistance may be absorbed.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a typicalendoscope.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of anendoscope according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view illustrating the handleunit and the probe unit in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the couplers of theprobe unit in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of thehandle unit in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded perspective view illustrating theinternal structures of the couplers of the handle unit and the probeunit in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a portion of the interior of theprobe unit in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view illustrating portions of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the second connector and thepinion gear in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the handleunit in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a partial cutaway view illustrating the interior of thehandle unit in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating the state in which the handle unitand the probe unit are coupled in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the state in which the handle unitand the probe unit are coupled to each other in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the stopper in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating one end of theprobe unit in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

BEST MODEL

Hereinafter, embodiments of an endoscope having an attachable anddetachable probe according to the present disclosure will be describedin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the endoscope having an attachableand detachable probe according to the present disclosure is illustrated.The present embodiment generally includes a handle unit 100 and a probeunit 200 detachably mounted on the handle unit 100. In addition, theembodiment includes a connector adaptor 50 enabling a connection to anexternal device. The connector adaptor 50 is connected to the handleunit 100 via a universal cord 60. Here, the connector adaptor 50 anduniversal cord 60 are illustrative only and are not necessarily limitedto the illustrated shapes. Any shapes applicable to the endoscope may beused.

The handle unit 100 includes a body 110 providing a holding volumeenabling a practitioner to hold the body 110. The body 110 receivestherein a chain and a cable through which the probe unit is driven.Referring to FIG. 3, a handle-side coupler 120 is provided on one end ofthe body 110. The handle-side coupler 120 has an end cover 121 closingone end of the handle unit 100. The end cover 121 has two supplychannels 122, through which air and water are supplied to the affectedpart during a treatment, and a suction channel 123 provided between thesupply channels 122. Each of the air supply channel, the water supplychannel, and the suction channel may have a substantially cylindricalshape with a hollow internal space and, when coupled to the probe unit,be inserted into the probe unit such that water, air, or the like may bereliably supplied to a body part under treatment or examination.

A connecting terminal 124 is provided above the channels. The connectingterminal 124 is provided to be electrically connected to the probe unitsuch that data obtained by a camera or the like provided on one end ofthe probe unit may be transferred to an external device. For example,the connecting terminal 124 may be a high-definition multimediainterface (HDMI) terminal through which images are transmitted.

A plurality of through-holes 125 are provided between the channel andthe connecting terminal. Each of the through-holes serves as a passageallowing a second connector, a stopper releasing member, or the likeprovided in the probe unit to be inserted into the handle unittherethrough.

The coupler 120 may be configured such that the diameter thereof issmaller than that of the body 110 and have an O-ring provided on theouter circumference thereof, the O-ring preventing the leakage of air,water, or the like.

Returning to FIG. 2, first and second knobs 111 and 112 are provided onthe upper portion of one side of the body 110 such that the first andsecond knobs 111 and 112 are stacked on each other in a verticaldirection with respect to FIG. 2. The first and second knobs 111 and 112are connected to first and second brackets to be described later,respectively, and are configured such that the first and second knobs111 and 112 may rotate independently of each other. Each of the knobs isprovided with a plurality of protruding teeth allowing the practitionerto easily hold and rotate the knob.

Meantime, the first knob may independently rotate with the second knobremaining fixed. In the same manner, the second knob may independentlyrotate with the first knob remaining fixed. The first knob 111 controlsthe vertical movement of the probe unit. That is, when the first knob isrotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the end of the probe unit is bentupward or downward. The second knob 112 controls the lateral movement ofthe probe unit. That is, when the second knob is rotated clockwise orcounterclockwise, the end of the probe unit is bent to the left orright.

In this manner, the direction of rotation of the probe unit may befreely adjusted by operating the first and second knobs 111 and 112. Insome cases, it may be necessary to fix the probe unit bent at a specificangle. In this regard, a fixing knob 113 is provided above the secondknob 112. When the fixing knob 113 is rotated, the first and secondsprockets are fixed without rotation. Consequently, the end of the probeunit remains fixed.

The probe unit 200 has a probe 210 provided on one side, the probe 210being supposed to be inserted into a human body, and a coupler 220provided on the other side, the coupler 220 being supposed to be coupledto the handle unit 100. The probe 210 may have a camera or the likedisposed on the distal end thereof. The probe 210 includes a bendableportion made of a flexible material such that the bendable portion maybe bent in the vertical and lateral directions in response to themovement of wires to be described later. A mesh tube 204 (see FIG. 7)protecting the bendable portion may be mounted on an external portion ofthe bendable portion.

The coupler 220 of the probe unit 200 includes a fixing nut 201 allowingthe coupler 220 to be fixed to the handle unit. The fixing nut 201 isconfigured to surround both a portion of the end of the probe unit and aportion of the end of the handle unit, in particular, the outercircumferential portions of the couplers of the probe unit and thehandle unit. In addition, the fixing nut 201 is mounted so as to berotatable within a predetermined range of angle with respect to theprobe unit 200, and may be fastened to or separated from the handle unitdepending on the direction of rotation. That is, in a situation in whichthe two couplers are coupled to each other, when the fixing nut 201 isrotated in one direction, the handle unit is fastened with the fixingnut and remains in a coupled state. When the fixing nut 201 is rotatedin the opposite direction, the handle unit 100 and the fixing nut 201are decoupled from each other, thereby causing the handle unit to beseparable from the probe unit.

FIG. 4 illustrates the coupler 220 of the probe unit 200. Referring toFIG. 4, the coupler 220 includes an end cover 221 closing one end of theprobe unit. The end cover 221 has three channel receivers 222 into whichthe supply channels 122 and the suction channel 123 are inserted. Therespective channel receivers 222 have the shape of a hollow cylinder,and are configured such that the inner diameters thereof correspond tothe outer diameters of the channels to be inserted thereinto. Inaddition, an O-ring preventing the leakage of air, water, or the like tobe supplied may be provided inside each of the channel receivers.

Another connecting terminal 223 corresponding to the foregoingconnecting terminal is provided on the opposite side of the channelreceivers 222. That is, while the handle unit has a male terminal andthe probe unit has a female terminal, the opposite configuration is alsopossible.

The ends of the four second connectors and the stopper releasing membersare disposed and protrude between the channel receivers 222 and theconnecting terminal 223. This feature will be described later.

Hereinafter, the internal structure of the handle unit 100 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, a printed circuit board (PCB) 124 a is disposedadjacent to the connecting terminal 120 of the handle unit 100. The PCB124 a is electrically connected to the connecting terminal 120 andcontrols the operation of the connecting terminal.

In addition, four first connectors 130 are disposed adjacent to the endcover 121. The four first connectors 130 are respectively shaped as ahollow pipe with the interior thereof being hollow, and are arranged toform a rectangle when viewed from the front. A connector guide plate 140is disposed on the knob-side end of the first connectors 130. Theconnector guide plate 140 includes guide holes (not shown) into whichthe four first connectors 130 are inserted. Each of the first connectors130 is slidably mounted within the guide hole. That is, the connectorguide plate 140 serves to not only fix the first connectors but also toguide the sliding movement of the first connectors. An arm 152 extendingin the longitudinal direction of the first connector is fixedly disposedon the connector guide plate 140.

In addition, return springs 132 are mounted on the outer circumferentialportions of the first connectors 130. When no external force is applied,elastic force of returning the first connectors 130 to the positionillustrated in FIG. 5 is applied. During the operation, the firstconnectors 130 are caused to slide from the position illustrated in FIG.5 toward the knobs, using the first and second knobs. However, whenforce applied to the knobs is removed, the return springs restore thefirst connectors to the position illustrated in FIG. 5.

The two first connectors disposed in the lower positions with respect toFIG. 5 are in concert with the operation of the first knob 111. That is,when the first knob 111 is rotated, the lower first connectors rotatethe probe up and down while moving. In addition, the two firstconnectors disposed in the upper positions are in concert with theoperation of the second knob 112. When the second knob 112 is rotated,the first connectors rotate the probe to the left and right whilemoving.

A single stopper 150 is disposed to the left of the first connectors130, and another single stopper 150 is disposed to the right of thefirst connectors 130. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the stoppers 150 arelocated adjacent to the first connectors 130. In the present embodiment,the stoppers 150 are placed on specific surface portions of the arm 152while being separated from the arm 152. However, the stoppers 150 arenot limited thereto, but may be disposed to be completely separated fromthe arm 152. The operation of the stoppers will be described later.Supply pipes 154 connected to the supply channels 122 and the suctionchannel 123 are disposed below the first connectors 130. The supplypipes may be connected to external sources to supply water, air, and thelike to the supply channels 122 or may take in water, air, and the likethrough the suction channel 124.

A base plate 160 is disposed to the lower left of the connector guideplate 140. The base plate 160 serve as a support portion supporting avariety of components provided within the handle unit 100, and have theshape of a thin plate. The sprockets and chains to be described laterare disposed in the upper portion of the base plate 160, and theprotective plate 162 is disposed above the sprockets, chains, and thelike. The base plate 160 and the protective plate 162 work in concert todefine an internal space. The defined internal space is used as a spacethrough which the chain and end wires to be described later move.

Referring to FIG. 6, both the internal structure of the handle unit 100and the internal structure of the probe unit 200 are illustrated.Referring to FIG. 6, each of the first connectors 130 has an end tip 133provided on one end thereof adjacent to the probe unit. The diameter ofthe end tip 133 is increased compared to those of the other portions ofeach of the first connectors 130, and the end of the end tip 133 is opento form an insertion hole 133 a. The insertion hole 133 a has the shapeof a slit elongated in one direction. In addition, the end tip 133 hascut portions 133 b formed in the left and right portions thereof,adjacent to the open end. Thus, stepped portions are provided betweenthe cut portions 133 b and the open end.

In addition, a guide pin 134 is provided on a side surface of the endtip 133. The guide pin 134 is fitted into a guide recess to be describedlater. During sliding movement of the first connectors 130, the guidepin 134 causes the first connector to slide while rotating about thelongitudinal axis thereof.

Meanwhile, the connecting terminal 223 disposed in the coupler 220 ofthe probe unit 200 is electrically connected to the PCB 224 in the samemanner as in the handle unit. In addition, four second connectors 230are disposed below the PCB 224.

When the probe unit is coupled to the handle unit, the four secondconnectors 230 are inserted into the above-described first connectors,respectively. Specifically, a substantially conical insertion protrusion232 is provided on one end of each of the second connectors 230 adjacentto the handle unit. The insertion protrusion 232 has a size and shapethat may be inserted into the insertion hole 133 a provided in each ofthe end tips 133 of the first connectors described above. The width ofthe end of the insertion protrusion 232 is increased compared to thoseof the other portions of the insertion protrusion 232. Thisconfiguration allows the insertion protrusion 232 to be engaged with thestepped portion provided in the end tip of the first connector describedabove, so that the first connectors and the second connectors work inconcert with each other. This feature will be described later.

In addition, a single stopper releasing member 240 is disposed to theleft of the second connectors, and another single stopper releasingmember 240 is disposed to the right of the second connectors. Each ofthe stopper releasing members 240 is configured such that one endthereof has a tapered surface and extends in the longitudinal direction.In addition, each of the stopper releasing members 240 has a length thatmay be inserted into the stopper 150 through the end cover disposed onthe end of the handle unit when the probe unit is mounted on the handleunit. When the stopper releasing member is inserted into the stopper,the stopper moves away from the first connectors. As a result, thestopper and the first connectors are decoupled from each other. Thisfeature will be described later.

Meantime, rack gear portions 233 are provided on side surfaces of thesecond connectors 230. Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the rack gear portions233 are provided on facing surfaces of each pair of second connectorsfacing each other. That is, the rack gear portions 233 are provided onthe facing surfaces of one pair of second connectors disposed in thelower position and in charge of vertical movement of the probe and onthe facing surfaces of the other pair of second connectors disposed inthe upper position and in charge of lateral movement of the probe,respectively.

Pinion gears 250 engaged with the rack gears are further provided. Twopinion gears 250 are spaced apart from each other in the verticaldirection. The pinion gear 250 provided in the lower position is engagedwith the rack gear portions provided on the pair of second connectors incharge of the vertical movement of the probe, while the pinion gear 250provided in the upper position is engaged with the rack gear portionsprovided on the pair of second connectors in charge of the lateralmovement of the probe.

Each of the pinion gears 250 is provided to rotate about a rotary shaftdisposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the secondconnector. The rotary shaft 252 is rotatably mounted on a rotary shaftsupport plate 254 disposed below the second connector.

In addition, wires 260 by which the probe is moved are mounted on theother ends of the second connectors 230. Here, each of the wires 260 isnot fastened to the corresponding second connector, and may be mountedto be received in the second connector by a predetermined distance. Thatis, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the wires 260 are connected to the secondconnectors through wire fixing members 262, respectively. The wirefixing members 262 may be inserted into the second connectors until thestepped portions provided on the ends are in contact with the secondconnectors.

In other words, the wire fixing members 262 are movable by sliding withrespect to the second connectors within a predetermined distance.However, when the predetermined distance is exceeded, the wire fixingmembers 262 move together with the second connectors. Such a slidetravel distance may compensate for the difference in the movementbetween the wire located inside with respect to the radial direction andthe wire located outside with respect to the radial direction.

A pair of second connectors facing each other may be moved in theopposite directions by the pinion gears 250. Here, for the sake ofbrevity, the direction in which the second connectors move toward thehandle unit will be referred to as a shrink direction, while thedirection in which the second connectors move away from the handle unitwill be referred to as a relaxation direction. In a situation in whichthe probe unit is coupled to the handle unit, when no external force isapplied, i.e. the first or second knob is not operated, the secondconnectors are aligned in positions illustrated in FIG. 7. When thefirst or second knob is rotated, one of the first connectors connectedto the rotated knob moves in the shrink direction. Here, the other firstconnector remains in the position (hereinafter, referred to as the“neutral position”) in which no external force is applied, instead ofmoving in the relaxation direction.

Here, the second connector working in concert with the first connectormoving in the shrink direction is moved in the shrink direction by thefirst connector. This movement of the second connector causes the othersecond connector engaged therewith to move in the relaxation direction.That is, in the shrink direction, the first and second connectors workin concert and move together in the movement. In contrast, in themovement in the relaxation direction, the first connector remains in theneutral position, and only the second connector moves in the relaxationdirection. Thus, the first and second connectors are separated from eachother in the relaxation direction.

Accordingly, external force is applied to the probe subject in both theshrink direction and the relaxation direction, rather than in a singledirection, thereby enabling more accurate and immediate sense ofoperation to be obtained. In addition, since the travel distance of thewire positioned in the shrink direction is shorter than the traveldistance of the wire positioned in the relaxation direction, such adifference in the travel distance needs to be absorbed. In theabove-described embodiment, in the relaxation direction, the first andsecond connectors are separated from each other, such that the secondconnector may freely move without being held by the first connector,thereby efficiently absorbing the difference in the travel distances asdescribed above. In addition, as described above, the slide couplingbetween the second connectors 230 and the wires 260 serves as a bufferabsorbing the difference in the travel distances described above.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating the internalstructure of the handle unit. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, twosprockets 170 are mounted below the first and second knobs 111 and 112such that the sprockets 170 may rotate in concert with the rotation ofthe first and second knobs.

In addition, a chain 171 moving in engagement with each of the sprocketsis provided. Both ends of the chain 171 are coupled to end wires 172,and wire couplers 173 are provided between the ends of the chain 171 andthe end wires 172. Chain guides 174 disposed adjacent to the wirecouplers 173 guide the movement of the wire couplers 173 by contact.

The chain guide 174 has the shape of a hollow rectangular cuboid. A sidesurface of the chain guide 174 serves as a guide surface by contact withthe wire coupler 173. Thus, the chain may reliably move due to the chainguide 174, regardless of whether the chain moves in the shrink directionor the relaxation direction.

The end wires 172 are coupled to the first connectors 130. Specifically,as illustrated in FIG. 11, the end wires 172 are coupled to the firstconnectors 130 and wire fixing members 175 in the same manner as in thesecond connectors. The wire fixing members 175 are disposed within theinsertion holes formed in the ends of the first connectors 130 such thatthe wire fixing members 175 may slide within a limited range. Here,regarding the sliding movement, both the wire fixing members and thefirst connectors may be configured to directly move without sliding inthe case of the movement in the shrink direction and to slide only inthe case of the movement in the relaxation direction.

The pair of chains are in charge of the vertical movement and thelateral movement of the probes, respectively, and may move independentlyof each other. In addition, when the chain is moved in response to therotation of the sprockets, the first connectors positioned in the shrinkdirection move in the shrink direction, whereas the first connectorspositioned in the relaxation direction remain in the neutral positioninstead of moving in the relaxation direction, due to the couplingstructure of the wire fixing members described above.

The first connectors are accommodated in a connector housing 180. Theconnector housing 180 has the shape of a rectangular cuboid, and has theinternal space in which the first connectors 130 may be slidablyreceived. In addition, the connector housing 180 has guide recesses 182engaging with guide pins 134 provided on the end tip 133.

Each of the guide recesses 182 starts from a side surface of theconnector housing 180 and extends in the longitudinal direction to beinclined toward the upper end of the connector housing 180. That is, thestart point of the guide recess 182 is in the side surface of theconnector housing, while the end point of the guide recess 182 is in thetop surface of the connector housing. Thus, the first connectors rotateabout 90° about the axes thereof due to the guide pins 134 and the guiderecesses 182 while moving in the shrink direction.

In the neutral position, the insertion protrusions 232 of the secondconnectors 230 remain inserted in the insertion holes 133 a of the endtip 133, but the first connectors do not work in concert with the secondconnectors. This is because the insertion protrusion 232 may be easilyreleased from the insertion holes 133 a when the first connectors move.Accordingly, no separate operations for connecting the wires provided inthe handle unit and the probe unit are required when coupling ordecoupling the handle unit and the probe unit to or from each other.

When the first or second knob is rotated after the coupling, one of thefirst connectors working in concert with the knobs moves in the shrinkdirection. In this case, the first connectors 130 move while rotatingabout 90° about the axes thereof, due to the guide pins 134 and theguide recesses 182, so that the rear surfaces of the insertionprotrusions 232 protrude from the cut portions 133 b of the end tips 133and are caught by the stepped portions. Consequently, when the firstconnectors move in the shrink direction, the second connectors moveresponsively, so that the probe is deformed in a predetermineddirection.

When external force is removed, the first connectors are restored to theneutral positions by the return springs and are then rotated 90° aboutthe axes thereof in the reverse direction due to the guide pins and theguide recesses, so that the insertion protrusions may be released fromthe insertion holes. As a result, no separate operations for connectingor disconnecting the wires are required when fastening or separating thehandle unit and the probe unit, so that the handle unit and the probeunit may be significantly easily attached to and detached from eachother.

When the first and second knobs are operated in a position in which thehandle unit is separated, the first connectors may be damaged duringmovement. Thus, it may be necessary to prevent such an operation.

Referring to FIG. 14, each of the above-described stoppers 150 has aguide pin recess 156 in the inner surface thereof. The guide pin recess156 has a depth and width allowing two guide pins 134 disposed adjacentto each other, as illustrated in FIG. 13, to be accommodated therein.The length of the guide pin recess 156 is determined such that both thetwo guide pins in the neutral position may be accommodated in the guidepin recess 156. In some cases, a plurality of guide pin recessesaccommodating the guide pins, respectively, may be formed.

When the guide pins are accommodated in the guide pin recesses, themovement of the guide pins is stopped by the inner walls of theaccommodation recesses. Thus, even when it is intended to rotate thefirst or the second knob, the guide pins are stopped and the movementthereof is prevented by the accommodation recesses, thereby making therotation of the knob impossible. This is the case in which the handleunit is separated from the probe unit. In contrast, when the handle unitis coupled to the probe unit, the stopper releasing members 240 areinserted between the stoppers 150 and the guide pins 134 and the guidepins are separated from the guide pin recesses 156. In addition, in aposition in which the probe unit is coupled to the handle unit, thestopper releasing members 240 are disposed inside the stoppers, therebypreventing the guide pins from being recoupled to the guide pinrecesses.

Accordingly, the knobs may be allowed to operate only when the handleunit is coupled to the probe unit, thereby preventing the device frombeing damaged by an accidental operation in a position in which thehandle unit and the probe unit are separated from each other.

Referring to FIG. 15, an end cover 280 is provided on one end of theprobe unit 200. The end cover 280 has a flat cylindrical structure, andis coupled to the end of the probe unit 200. In addition, an imagesensor 282 capturing images from the part under examination and a nozzlepipe injecting air and water are mounted on the end cover 280. Inaddition, the end cover 280 has a plurality of transparent windows 286provided in a plurality of portions. The transparent windows 286 areimplemented as a sheet made of glass or a transparent material, and havea structure able to emit light generated by a light source.

A flexible printed circuit board (PCB) 290 is disposed on the rearsurface of the end cover 280, and a plurality of light-emitting diodes(LEDs) 292 are mounted on the flexible PCB 290. The plurality of LEDs292 may be disposed in portions facing the above-described transparentwindows 286 to emit light to the part under examination. Theabove-described image sensor 282 is also mounted on the flexible PCB.Since the plurality of LEDs are used as the light source, the intensityof light may be easily adjusted and the quantity of emitted light may besignificantly increased compared to those of existing halogen lamps,thereby further improving the clarity of images obtained using the imagesensors.

1. An endoscope including a separable probe, the endoscope comprising: ahandle unit; and a probe unit detachably mounted on the handle unit,wherein the handle unit comprises a first connector reciprocally movableby an adjustment knob, and the probe unit comprises: a probe deformablein response to movement of a wire; and a second connector coupled to anend of the wires and detachably coupled to the first connector.
 2. Theendoscope of claim 1, wherein the handle unit further comprises: arotatable sprocket connected to the adjustment knob; and a chain engagedwith the sprocket to reciprocally move in response to the rotation ofthe sprocket, wherein the first connector is reciprocally movable inconcert with the chain.
 3. The endoscope of claim 2, wherein the handleunit further comprises an end wire coupled to the chain, the end wirebeing coupled to the first connector to pull the first connector towardthe sprocket.
 4. The endoscope of claim 3, wherein a wire coupler isprovided on an end of the chain, and the end wire is coupled to the wirecoupler.
 5. The endoscope of claim 4, wherein the handle unit furthercomprises a chain guide disposed adjacent to the chain, and when thechain moves, the wire coupler is slid and moved while being in contactwith side surfaces of the chain guide.
 6. The endoscope of claim 3,wherein the handle unit further comprises a return spring mounted on anouter circumferential portion of the first connector, and when force ofpulling the first connector through the wire is removed, the returnspring provides elastic force to restore the first connector to anoriginal position.
 7. The endoscope of claim 3, wherein the end wire isconnected to the first connector using a wire fixing member, the wirefixing member being inserted into the first connector and mounted to beslidable and movable within a limited range.
 8. The endoscope of claim1, wherein one of the first connector and the second connector comprisesan end tip having an insertion hole in an end thereof, and the other ofthe first connector and the second connector comprises an insertionprotrusion inserted into the insertion hole and fastened to the end tipin response to rotation.
 9. The endoscope of claim 8, wherein the endtip further comprises a cut portion in a side portion thereof, and aportion of the insertion protrusion has a greater width than those ofthe remaining portions of the insertion protrusion, such that, in aposition in which the insertion protrusion is inserted into theinsertion hole, the greater-width portion of the insertion protrusionprotrudes through the cut portion.
 10. The endoscope of claim 8, whereinthe handle unit further comprising a connector housing accommodating thefirst connector therein to guide the movement of the first connector.11. The endoscope of claim 10, wherein the end tip further comprises aguide pin on a side surface thereof, the connector housing has a guiderecess in a side surface thereof, the guide recess allowing the guidepin to be fitted thereinto, and the guide recess extends in alongitudinal direction to be inclined toward an upper end of theconnector housing.
 12. The endoscope of claim 11, wherein the handleunit further comprises a stopper stopping movement of the guide pin, andthe stopper has a recess able to accommodate the guide pin.
 13. Theendoscope of claim 1, wherein the probe unit comprises the pair ofsecond connectors detachably coupled to the first connector, a firstpinion gear is disposed between the pair of second connectors, the pairof second connectors comprise rack gear portions provided on facingsurfaces thereof to be engaged with the first pinion gear, and when oneof the pair of second connectors moves in a first direction, the otherof the pair of second connectors moves in a second direction opposite tothe first direction.
 14. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the handleunit comprises the pair of first connectors able to be coupled to thepair of second connectors, wherein one of the pair of first connectorsand one of the pair of second connectors able to be coupled to eachother work in concert with each other when moving in the first directionand do not work in concert with each other when moving in the seconddirection.
 15. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the wire is connectedto the second connector using a wire fixing member, the wire fixingmember being inserted into the second connector and mounted to beslidable and movable within a limited range.
 16. The endoscope of claim12, wherein the probe unit further comprises a stopper releasing memberon a side portion thereof, the stopper releasing member having a taperedsurface on an end thereof, such that the stopper and the first connectorare decoupled from each other when the stopper releasing member isinserted into the stopper.